Conyers, GA.—April 7, 2007—Three time Olympic legend Joe Fargis, based in Southampton,NY added another win to an already illustrious career taking top honors in the $25,000 Cherry Blossom Grand Prix presented by The Classic Company.

Fargis had two of the twenty-five equine athletes taking on the immense layout created by designer Allen Rheinheimer. The starting field was a balanced mix of young promising horses to the seasoned veteran professionals like this afternoon’s victorious Diams III, the 14 year-old Selle Francis mare owned by Mary B. Schwab and Oeji Farms whom Fargis has partnered with since she began her career at age 6. Experience may have been just the edge needed to conquer the long first round of 14 obstacles, with 17 big efforts, as Rheinheimer seemed to hold nothing back on a course that included everything but the proverbial kitchen sink. The seemingly generous 101 second allowance put many a rider on notice as they walked the course comprised of such elements as the 4AB combination [vertical in oxer out] with an immediate arcing right turn over the 4’9” vertical fence #5 followed by another instant sharp right rollback to the dreaded #6 fence, the triple bar-set at the maximum spread of 5 plus feet.  “Just a little test early on to get their attention.” Rheinheimer joked and continued on to say in a more serious tone, “this course is set with the level of competitor in mind, so yes it is going to be a bit tough. If it wasn’t this particular group would not be happy with me, they want a challenge.”

The first to take on that challenge was Aiken, SC based Daniel Geitner, whose numerous hunter and jumper top placings during the 2 weeks in Atlanta had already proven him a viable threat to the more seasoned pros. Breaking the start timer with Mrs. Charles Bostwick’s 8 year-old Rhinelander mare Sympa, the least experienced of Geitner’s trio of mounts for the day, the pair squelched any remaining doubts of the youngster’s ability to handle this level of competition with a clear round time of 92.633 seconds. “It walked a little tricky.” Daniel said of the assumed hot spot, the quick turn off oxer #11 into a triple combination at 12ABC, which consisted of wide oxer in and two tall verticals out. “Maybe I got lucky, but it rode very nicely. You just had to get your eye on #12 right away.”  The following three riders weren’t so fortunate taking either the A or C element down as they navigated through the combination. When the last of the field finished Rheinheimer had 11 determined horses advancing to the final test, including Geitner with two of his mounts as well as Canadian great Mac Cone also with 2 rides, USET pro Christian Currey with one, the eventual winner Joe Fargis with Diams and Fargis’s student Tracey Weinberg on one.

The jump off of 8 obstacles [9 efforts] within 51 seconds also proved to be a long and arduous testing of athletes, taking up nearly half of the Olympic size arena, the course’s only straight line came at starting fence one to two but from there became a technical series of twists and turns to the final fence. Sympa once again had the draw of going first, however the young mare showed no signs of trouble with the task before her, turning in a second clear round in 50.288 seconds. “Equally a long layout, not typical for a jump off. Of all the turns I think the one coming off of 12AB to 16 [a vertical of max height] was the toughest as you had to go all the way around it. I think some of them lost their footing a little when going so fast around.” Daniel spoke of the final round, “With as many as we had in the last round, and then not all of them making a second clear run probably made it a little more exciting to the crowd. Kept them guessing!” Despite being the last to go, often an advantage for riders who can watch how their competition handles certain spots on the course and plan a new strategy, Joe Fargis and Diams showed a cheering crowd exactly what makes the pair’s names synonymous with the word legendary turning in a flawless run in an amazing 46.534 seconds and secured the victory.

“Any day you can not only watch but personally present an award to a great horseman such as Joe is a great day.” Classic Company president Bob Bell said of the Spring Series finale event. “He’s not only a talent on the field but a true gentleman-sportsman for our young competitors to emulate.”  Unfortunately Mr. Fargis had an extremely tight travel schedule to make and was barely able to stay for the presentation ceremony. Commenting earlier in the week however, “Jumping Joe” complimented the level of competitors at the Spring event as well as the show management on what he believes to be one of the best ways to relax after a long winter season. “Always so nice to come here. I look forward each year to a talented field of riders and a friendly environment at this event.”  Fargis said.

Additional results included Canadian rider Hyde Moffatt with the Hawkestone Farm’s owned Ting Tin placing second with a clean finishing round time of 48.794; Daniel Geitner and Sympa for owner Mrs. Charles Bostwick in third place with a clear round time of 50.288; fourth place to Christian Currey and the Mr. And Mrs. Brownlee owned Cenzo also clean in 50.347 seconds, and the fifth position went to Denver, another Hawkestone Farm’s entry with Hyde Moffatt in the irons finishing in a clear 51.682 seconds but acquiring 1 time penalty. 

For complete results or information on the 2007 Atlanta Spring Classics visit www.ClassicCompany.com or call the office at 843.768.5503.